Let’s just get real.

Today I’m going to share some real, tough love with you. If you’re new here and this is the first post you’re reading, welcome. I’m so glad you found this blog and podcast. But one thing you need to know about me is how I’m going to tell you like it is.

I’m going to speak truth into your life because it serves no one to continue to sugar coat things and not call them like they are. I do this with so much grace, love, and empathy for where you are because I’ve been there. So I know what it’s like to live stuck for months at a time – years even.

Okay, if you’re still here after that disclaimer then let’s get into it.. We’re diving right in, so hold on to your seat, mama!

New Year, New Me. Right?

For years I wouldn’t think about my life at all until December 31st.

Like all of a sudden, I wanted to set 12 goals, go vegetarian, and run 5 miles every day… And, well, none of those things ever stuck because… hello! I wouldn’t be human if I were capable of such drastic change overnight.

But my point here is I never ever stopped to evaluate my life. Ever.

I never asked what was working, what wasn’t working, or why.

I never asked what I could do differently. I never set any goals until December 31st, because “a new year is coming… which means change is coming”…

Right?

Does Your Life Look Different?

Whyyyyy do we convince ourselves there is something magical about January 1st? Like, does something happen when the clock strikes midnight and we all of sudden stick to a diet, or goal, or a routine?

Why do we buy into this lie?

Most of our lives probably look the same as they did last January 1st.

Think about it for a second… Does your life look any different from this time last year? Some of you don’t even remember what you had for breakfast or what you did last weekend, so I know right now you may be on the struggle bus.

It’s okay boo boo. Scroll those Facebook memories and see if it jogs your memory a little bit, but then stop and really think… What do you want to change in your life?

And how close are you to getting to that point?

What all needs to change in order to reach that goal?

You have to have the self awareness to take a timeout and say, “wait a minute. Something isn’t working here.” And you shouldn’t wait for the end of December every year before you start thinking about this!

We should do this often. Maybe even quarterly, monthly, or weekly.

What Do You Believe About Change?

You don’t have to wait for a new year to create change. Don’t buy into the hype.

Every second you have is an opportunity for change.

But we get stuck with our days looking the exact same. The autopilot and the lie that change has to be drastic or that we have to make the complete `180 immediately or we’ve failed.

Don’t get me wrong, changing something in your life is hard, but it’s something you can move towards one small step at a time.

You have to convince your brain of this truth. Because anything outside of your comfort zone, anything outside your norm is going to try to convince your brain as being too hard, too scary, too big, too much.

Because your brain doesn’t understand this different thing, this different pattern, this new way of living isn’t going to kill you.

It sounds drastic, I know, but on a scientific level, the brain is perceiving the unknown as a threat.

However, once you understand what’s actually happening in your brain, mind, subconscious, then you can put the pieces together, and well, outsmart your brain.

We can strengthen our MIND …. This is where this change starts. Your perspective and your beliefs about yourself and the world around you.

Change Starts with Your Identity

The day your life will change is the day you have an accurate perspective on life and yourself. But also, once you identity is grounded.

And I mean centered, dead-center with truth. No room for lies from your past or lies about who you are.

No, no, no friend.

The truth.

As a Jesus-follower, HE gets the final say as to who you are and what you were created to be.

Your life changes the moment you decide to make small shifts and take baby steps toward a specific goal. Maybe your first goal should look like correcting your beliefs about yourself and the world around you.

Stop Waiting for a Date on the Calendar

Why do we wait until December 31st to create vision for ourselves?

Why do we wait an entire year to start again, dream again, set goals again?

Friend, you have a chance for a fresh start right now. Oday?

You don’t have to wait for a new year. You have an entire month left in this year. How will you spend this time? Are you really going to wait 30 days for a reset? For new vision? For renewed hope?

Why? What’s the point?

Are you really waiting because you believe change will finally come or are you just putting things off and clinging to your excuses? Because if you’re still in the place where you’d rather have your excuses than change your life, then you’re not ready. And that’s okay because I’ve been there too.

But simply waiting for a specific day of the year to create change or try to implement new things into your life?

No friend. We are getting to work now, right now.

We are refocusing today. We are resetting today. We are fixing our eyes ahead and striving for the end goal, TODAY.

There is so much freedom is realizing the power of NOW… not “one day.”

January 1st May Never Come

Here’s one reason why you shouldn’t wait to start changing your life. There is a possibility January 1st may not come.

What if you don’t get that privilege? What if you don’t see January 1, 2022?

I don’t want to trigger your anxiety. I know a thought like this would have totally sent me into a spiral a few years ago. But we have to learn to see our time for what it is.

We don’t get an endless amount of time. What if the window for that goal, that dream, that nudge closes? What if time runs out to do that thing?

If it’s something important to you, or feel like God is calling you to, or wants you to do, then do not put it off.

We convince ourselves we will start tomorrow. Not long ago on my Instagram, I shared about the lie of one day I stayed stuck in for sooooo long. I mean there were months I was stuck. Years, actually.

This is exactly where the enemy wants to keep us. Because when we’re stuck here, we are ineffective.

We aren’t being used for anything, making a difference, being a light because we’re too busy barely keeping our heads above water in the metaphorical ocean of life and motherhood.

Maybe you’ve been saying you want to start getting up earlier in the morning before your kids. How many times have you said that? For how long have you been saying next week, tomorrow, next month, next year?

I would convince myself of “tomorrow” for 3 years… And to me it felt like I’d just said it for the first time just the other day…. “It hasn’t been that long.” I’ll do it. I’m gonna do it”

What are You Waiting For?!

My life changed the day I realized I didn’t have to wait “until….” Fill in the blank.

I could reset right then. I could create an action plan right then. I could do that thing I’d been putting off right then and there.

There’s this saying, “there’s no better time than the present”. And it’s TRUE, because it’s all we have. We are not promised 96 years on this earth. We are not promised 100 more chances.

We don’t know what tomorrow holds. And as much as this may give you anxiety (because it did for me), we have to learn to make peace with it. And I don’t say that lightly.

I understand what it’s like to be on medication for panic attacks. Anxiety has sent me to the ER. So I know what it feels like to be so unsure about the future. (That’s a separate conversation for another episode and post.)

But somehow, someway, you have to make peace with the fact your time is not endless.

So what are you going to do with what you have? What are you going to do with today?

Right now? 

You Were Made for More

When my perspective shifted and I was able to see the value of this moment… This ordinary, Tuesday morning, and realize the fact I’m still alive and breathing. And understand this reality alone is a blessing and a gift, not a guarantee. Life shifted…

And I began to see every opportunity through this lens. 

Now, that may be a little dramatic, I know. Lord willing, we’ll all still be here January 1, 2022…. But what about all of the time you would have wasted between now and then?

That’s over 50 days, by my count, at the time I’m writing this!

I know you may not see the value in 50 days. You may not see how much change you could create be by then, because most of us have never kept a promise to ourselves. We’ve never followed through and actually stuck with the goal we set. (I teach more on this in my program because it’s important to understand how to set realistic goals, and how to actually set yourself up for success so you can reach those goals.)

But I see SO MUCH POTENTIAL in you. I want you to start seeing what I see.

You are capable of SO MUCH. There is so much you can do. So much you WILL do when you start to show up for yourself and create this change in your life. For yourself and for everyone else.

The ripple effect of your life change is something they benefit from. But it’s also for YOU, because as a follower of Jesus, this is what we’re called to.

We were never created to be stagnant. We weren’t created to be the exact same every single day of our lives… This same us, every day. No.

We are continually being renewed and transformed.

You need a renewed vision of who God has created you to be, then you will have the confidence and drive to start showing up as a different you.

The Holy Spirit is going to transform your life. Your actions, thoughts, words, habits… They will all start to look different. Because that’s what we’re called to.

I know it’s hard. I know there is laundry and diapers and feeding schedules and so, so, so much that you are responsible for. But do not let the enemy stand in your way of seeing the amazing woman that God has created you to be.

Do not let satan overshadow your potential.

Don’t buy into the lie that you’re just a mom. That you’re not worth changing for.

What Is Holding You Back?

I get soooo, stinking fired up about this because I think the enemy wants us to underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

With the Holy Spirit working and our willingness to create life change for God’s Kingdom, things can happen in DAYS.

What would your life look like in 10 days from now, if you started taking baby steps toward that thing on your heart?

It’s time to get honest with yourself and ask, “What is holding me back from pursuing this life change I’ve known that I’ve needed and wanted?”

Are you afraid of what people will think of you?

Are you afraid it’s going to be uncomfortable? (Guess what, you’re right. But it’s worth it!)

Are you afraid of who you will become?

These are all valid questions. Because truth be told, change is uncomfortable. Change can be scary. Change is an adjustment.

But change is worth it.

Your life is worth it.

If you are feeling nervous to start making life change today, that’s okay. I’ve been where you are. But looking back, I am so grateful I decided to pursue life change.

I’m so grateful I didn’t stay stuck in the same place, where I literally would have thoughts of how much I hated my life. Day in and day out.

Have courage! And if you’re having trouble having courage, ask God to give you courage to start taking baby steps toward the direction you want to go, or feel him leading to.

I used to think all of these famous pastors and authors who wrote about the great things God did in their lives had something I didn’t. Until I realized, that’s not true. I serve the same God they serve.

You and I? We serve the same God.

And as someone who has fully leaned into God’s strength and guidance to help me enjoy my life and actually live the abundant life he talks about, I promise you… He wants the same abundance in your life.

You’ve got this, mama. With God’s help, you can change your life. Today.

If you love this message, make sure to stay up-to-date with the Her Pursuit podcast. This is Part 1 of a 4 series, yay! You can subscribe and follow along in the upcoming weeks here.